What if one of the simplest ways to take a brief break from stress involved nothing more than sticking out your tongue for 40 seconds? It might sound strange, but this unusual technique has attracted attention online, with some people claiming it can relax the body and even lower cortisol, commonly known as the stress hormone.
But is there any truth behind the claim, or is it simply another viral wellness trend?
The answer is more nuanced than social media posts might suggest.
how stress affects your body
When you feel anxious, overwhelmed, or under pressure, your body can respond in ways you may not immediately notice. Your jaw might tighten, your shoulders may rise, and the muscles around your face and neck can become tense.
These physical reactions are part of the body’s response to stress. Sometimes, you may carry that tension for hours without realising how tightly you have been holding your muscles.
This is where simple relaxation techniques may help. By bringing your attention back to your body, you can begin to notice areas of tension and consciously allow them to relax.
For some people, gently extending the tongue may provide a small opportunity to do exactly that.
what happens when you stick out your tongue?
The tongue is a muscular organ involved in speaking, swallowing, and eating. Moving it changes the activity of muscles involved in tongue and mouth movement.
When you gently extend your tongue, you may become more aware of sensations around your mouth, jaw, and face. Pausing for a few moments to focus on this movement can also interrupt a cycle of stressful thoughts.
The potential benefit may come less from the tongue movement itself and more from the brief pause, physical awareness, and conscious relaxation that accompany it.
However, individual experiences vary. There is no established evidence that holding your tongue out for exactly 40 seconds has a special stress-relieving effect.
can this unusual trick lower cortisol?
This is where the viral claims need closer examination.
Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It helps regulate metabolism, blood pressure, immune activity, and the body’s response to stress. Cortisol is not inherently harmful; it is essential for normal bodily functions.
Its levels naturally fluctuate throughout the day and can change in response to sleep, exercise, illness, emotional stress, and other factors.
Although some relaxation practices may influence the body’s stress response, there is currently no reliable scientific evidence demonstrating that sticking out your tongue for 40 seconds rapidly lowers cortisol.
Claims that this technique reduces cortisol faster than medication or established relaxation methods are also unsupported by convincing scientific research.
Most importantly, feeling calmer does not automatically mean your cortisol levels have decreased. A subjective feeling of relaxation and a measurable hormonal change are two different things.
what can you do instead to manage stress?
If you are looking for simple ways to unwind, several approaches have more research supporting their potential benefits.
1. Practise slow breathing.
Take gentle, comfortable breaths and allow your exhalation to be slightly longer than your inhalation. Avoid forcing your breath or holding it if that feels uncomfortable. A few minutes of calm breathing may help you feel less tense.
2. Move your body regularly.
Walking, cycling, stretching, dancing, or another activity you enjoy can support physical and emotional well-being. Even a short walk can provide a welcome break from a demanding day.
3. Make sleep a priority.
Insufficient or irregular sleep can make it harder to cope with everyday pressures. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and creating a relaxing bedtime routine may help.
4. Try mindfulness or meditation.
Mindfulness encourages you to notice your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations without immediately reacting to them. With practice, this may help you respond to stressful situations more thoughtfully.
5. Release unnecessary muscle tension.
Gently relax your jaw, lower your shoulders, and stretch your neck within a comfortable range. Progressive muscle relaxation, which involves deliberately tensing and releasing different muscle groups, is another technique worth exploring.
No single approach works equally well for everyone. Finding a routine you can maintain is often more useful than searching for a single quick fix.
so, should you try the 40-second tongue trick?
If gently sticking out your tongue feels comfortable, you can try it as a brief moment of physical awareness. It is generally harmless for most people when performed gently, without forcing the movement or causing discomfort.
You might find it amusing, notice some tension around your mouth, or simply enjoy taking a short break from whatever is troubling you.
Just keep your expectations realistic. This technique has not been established as a treatment for elevated cortisol, anxiety disorders, or chronic stress.
If you regularly experience overwhelming stress, persistent anxiety, or symptoms that interfere with daily life, consider speaking with a qualified healthcare professional rather than relying on viral wellness advice.
The bigger lesson is that caring for your well-being does not always require complicated routines. Sometimes, taking a few moments to breathe, stretch, or pay attention to your body can help you pause and reset.
The bottom line: Sticking out your tongue for 40 seconds might feel relaxing, but science has not established that it lowers cortisol. Enjoy it as a simple relaxation experiment if you wish, but rely on better-studied approaches for ongoing stress management.
Your body deserves care, not exaggerated promises. ❤️🧠
